Niger Delta Weekly Update for August 08-14, 2021

This edition of the weekly update spotlights homicidal violence in the Niger Delta with a focus on killings for human body parts in Delta State. Murder for human body parts is increasingly becoming prevalent in Delta State. According to data (see map below), at least 50 incidents of killing for human body parts were reported in the State between January 2017 and June 2021. Recent data indicates an increase in killings to harvest human body parts for organ trafficking and ritual purposes in the State. In March 2021, for example, a 39-year old woman was reportedly abducted from her farm and murdered by suspected human parts dealers in Obiaruku community, Ukwuani LGA. Her vital organs and other body parts were allegedly harvested. In May, a 13-year old girl was reportedly killed by a cleric who allegedly removed her heart, kidney and other vital organs in Agbor town, Ika South LGA. Recently, on August 03, 2021, a 50-year old woman was reportedly raped and murdered for ritual purposes by two young men in Umeh community, Isoko South LGA. Her eyes and other vital body parts were reportedly removed.